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What can I do to start building connections in the field of veterinary
#veterinary-medicine #biology #veterinary #volunteer #medical #science
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4 answers
Updated
Husseina’s Answer
Professional connection can starts with the old schoolmates, friends or people you have ever work with via social media such as Facebook, LinkedIn etc.
Husseina Abba
M.S.H.S
Husseina Abba
M.S.H.S
Updated
Disheka’s Answer
In order to start building connections in what ever field you are interested in, you should look up conferences, events, or organizations that are focused on the career of your choice.
For example, student A is in the field of technology, so this student is going to search for organizations such as National Society of Professional Engineers, Rewriting the Code, Society of Women/Men Engineers etc.
If you are in college, there should be a website that shows a list of organizations that involves the field you want to be in. If you are not in college, no worries.. there are plenty of organizations you can search for on google that can display an array of orgs that you can join without being in undergrad.
Create a LinkedIn and search using keywords that are related to your field to connect with others
Attend conferences, webinars, and events that are catered towards networking
Check your school's website for any organizations that are looking for members to join them
For example, student A is in the field of technology, so this student is going to search for organizations such as National Society of Professional Engineers, Rewriting the Code, Society of Women/Men Engineers etc.
If you are in college, there should be a website that shows a list of organizations that involves the field you want to be in. If you are not in college, no worries.. there are plenty of organizations you can search for on google that can display an array of orgs that you can join without being in undergrad.
Disheka recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Emily’s Answer
Some of our local veterinarians are very friendly and have let me spend time with them volunteering a few hours a week to help run heartworm tests, clean cages and observe daily tasks. If you have a local vet you take your pets to, you might want to discuss your goals with them next time you take your pet in for a visit.
Another thing, volunteering at a local animal shelter or SPCA often can help you to meet animal care takers in the area and perhaps offer to volunteer some of your time to get familiar with their veterinary office.
Visit a local vet's office and request time to discuss your personal ambitions and offer some of your time to help them.
Call local vet offices to request time to discuss entering the veterinary field.
Another thing, volunteering at a local animal shelter or SPCA often can help you to meet animal care takers in the area and perhaps offer to volunteer some of your time to get familiar with their veterinary office.
Emily recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Ron’s Answer
In addition to Disheka's helpful suggections, connecting locally with people and organizations who work in the veterinary sector can be incredibly valuable for you fine tuning your career interests, gaining experience and potentially establishing connections that could help you land a future job.
Connecting with local professionals also can help you answer questions such as:
What range of jobs are their in the vet industry?
What are typical work days?
What are the educational requirements?
Career paths? What are typical entry level positions? What makes a candidate most attractive for an entry level position? What is the typical career progression?
How can you learn more about compensation ranges?
Reach out to local vet clinics or your local equivalent of the Humane Society and/or Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and local government groups responsible for animal welfare.
If you don't know people who work there, ask friends and family if they know people there who might be willing to talk with you. LinkedIn also might help you find contacts there
Even without contacts, call to express your interest in exploring a career in the field and ask for an informational interview (https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/Informational-Interviewing). An informational interview can be by phone or in person. If you don't know the person or have a network connection to them, a phone discussion generally is easier for a busy professional to agree to.
Ask about opportunities to job shadow. Even shadowing a professional for a few hours can give you great insight into what a job really is like
Ask about volunteering or internship opportunities in the field
Connecting with local professionals also can help you answer questions such as:
What range of jobs are their in the vet industry?
What are typical work days?
What are the educational requirements?
Career paths? What are typical entry level positions? What makes a candidate most attractive for an entry level position? What is the typical career progression?
How can you learn more about compensation ranges?
Ron recommends the following next steps: